Coil spring producing machine



1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH 2,604,202

con SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Sept. 150,. 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet l y 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH 2,604,202

COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1.946 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH 2,604,202

COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 22, 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Fild Sept. 50. 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 22, 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH 2,694,202

' COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1952 w. E. WUNDERLlCH 2,604,202

' COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,Z Z QIZ Filed Sept. 50, 1946 July 22, 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH con. spams PRODUCING MACHINE 9 Sheet s-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. so, 1946 July 22, 1952 w. E. WUNDERLICH con. SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Shet 8 Filed Sept. 50. 1946 K r 2 www tug W.

2& 252 268 269 11 July 22, 1952 I w. WUNDERLICH 2,504,202

- COIL SPRING PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 are 7 Patented July 22, 1952 COIL SPRING PRODUCING 'MACHINE William E. Wunderlich, Muncie,. Ind.,:assignor to Wunderlich SpringMachlnery Company, a corporationof Illinois Application September 30, 1946, Serial2No.'700,197

4 Claims. (01. 198-210) This invention relates to 'machinesfor producingcoil springs and more particularly to such machines having a coiling mechanism for coiling the springs, a knotting and/or crimping mechanism for knotting and/or crimping one or both ends of the coil spring, a stackingmechanismior stacking the completed. coil springs and a transfer mechanism for transferring coil springs successi-vely from the coiling mechanism, to the knotting and/or crimping mechanism to the stacking mechanism.

An object of thisinvention is to provide :an improved transfer mechanism wherein thecoil spring is gripped at the coiling mechanism :and'

istransferred. to the knotting and/or crimping mechanism andto the stacking mechanism. The

transfer mechanism may include a-rotatable car.- rier' which pivotally carries radial gripping arms. A camv may be provided for maintaining the radialgripping arms in the plane of rotation and for pivoting the radial gripping arms laterally to present the coil springs to the knotting and/or crimping mechanisms. The radial-gripping arms may be provided with jaws 'for gripping the'coil springs and the jaws may be opened and closed by a cam. 'The carrier, the arm pivotingcam and the jaw operating cam may be rotated and oscillated in timed relation. The radial positions of the arms in-the plane of rotation may be adjusted to line them up properly with the various mechanisms and the arms maybe pivoted in the plane of rotation toprovide a strain release function, and when the jaws are'so pivoted, the jaws may be operated to release the coil springs-gripped thereby.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the component parts ofthe machine and the cooperation between suchparts. I

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to 'the accompanying specification, claims, and drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the coil spring producing machine;

-F-igure "2 is a side elevational view of the machine-looking from the right in Fig. 1;

Figure '3 is a perspective view of a coil spring produced by the machine;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of themoving parts of the coil spring producingmachine;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of theparts of the coiling mechanism which regulate the diameter and pitch of thecoil spring coiled thereby;

.Figurefi is a perspective view of a coil spring.

coiled by the coiling-mechanism;

.Figure'his :a horizontal sectional View through the transfer mechanism;

Figure -8':is a sectional view taken substantially along therlineB-B oiFig. 7;

Figure :9' is .a sectional view taken substantially along the line .9- 9 0f.Fig; 7;

Figure "10 :is an enlarged sectional view :of. a portion of :the transfer mechanism shown :in :the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 7 showing the ripping jawsclosed Figure '1 1 is .a partial sectional view :similar *to' Fig. 10 but. showing thegrippingiawsopen;

Fig. 121'is a'view' similar. ;to;Fig. 10 but show.- ing the radial arm pivotedout of the plane of rotation;

Figure 13 is a 1 sectional. :view' taken substam tially along the line l.3- .l3.of Fig. 10;

Figure 14 is an enlarged end elevational view of the knottingand crimping mechanism with the parts in the positionwhen the coil spring is received therein;

Figure "-15is aview similar to Fig. 14 butshowing the parts in position during the knotting operation;

Figure 16 is an enlarged perspective view oi. the knotter assembly;

Figure 17 is a'horizontal sectional view of the knotter and crimping mechanism Figure 18is-a' side elevationalviewof the stackingmechanism;

Figure 19'is-a top plan view of the stacking mechanismwith-theparts in position for receiving a coil spring FigureZOisaview similarto Fig. 19pbut showing the parts in position for stacking the coil' springs;

Figure 21 is an end elevational view looking from the left in Fig. 18.

The coil. spring producing machine is generally shown in Figures 1 and 2 and includes a wire" supplying mechanismgenerally designated at H), a coiling mechanism generally designated at H for coiling the. springs, a transfer mechanism generally designated at 12 for transferring ,coil springs, ,a knotting .and crimping mechanism generally designated at 13 for knotting and crimping onev end of the coil spring, a knotting and crimping mechanism generallydesignated at I4 for knotting and crimping the other end of the coil spring, and a stacking mechanism .generally designated at 15 for stacking the com pleted coilsprings.

Generally speaking, the coiling mechanism 1H coils the wire into a coil spring into the form shown in Fig. 6. This coil spring is then gripped by the transfer mechanism 12 and carried into alignment with the knotting and crimping mechanism l3 and brought into engagement therewith. One end of the coil spring is then knotted and crimped. The transfer mechanism l2 then carries the coil spring into alignment with the second knotting and crimping mechanism I 4 and into engagement therewith for knotting and crimping the other end of the coil spring. The coil spring thus knotted and crimped at both ends may take the form illustrated in Figure 3. The transfer mechanism l2 then takes the completed coil spring to the stacking mechanism generally designated at l5 whereupon the completed coil spring is released from the transfer mechanism and is stacked .by

the stacking mechanism.,

The transfer mechanism l2 includes a plurality of radial gripping arms so that all operations of coiling, knotting and crimping, and stacking may be carried on simultaneously on a plurality of coil springs. Normally the radial gripping arms are maintained in their plane of rotation, but when the gripping arms are brought'into alignment with the knotting and crimpingmechanisms l3 and I4, the radial arms are pivoted out of the plane of rotation so as to insert the coil springs into the knotting and crimping mechanisms.

Wire I! drawn from a roll of wire, not shown, passes through spring biased guides I8 of the wire supplying mechanism I8 and then through a wire straightener |9. The wire |'|'is drawn through the'straightener I9 and fed to the coiling mechanism by rollers 20, 2|, 22, and 23 forming a part of the coiling mechanism.

7 Coiling mechanism The coiling 'mechanism' includes a frame 25 carried on a post 26, which, in turn, is suitably A motor 29, as illustrated secured to a base 21. in Figs. 1 and 4, is carried by the base 21 and drives a belt 38 coursing a pulley 3| carried by a shaft 32. "As shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 32 carries a pinion 33 meshing with a gear 34 carried by a shaft 35 for rotating the roller 2|. A gear 35 carried by'a shaft '31 and meshing with the gear 34 rotates the roller 23. An idler gear38 meshing with the gear 34-drives a gear 39- carried by a shaft 48 for rotating theroller 28, and a gear 4! meshing with the gear 38 and carried by a shaft 42 rotates the roller 22. The

wire I! to be coiled passes between the rollers 23 are lowered, the wire |'|'is fed' to the coiling,

mechanism, but when these rollers are raised, the feed of the wire is stoppedL The raising andllowering of the rollers 22 and 23 and hence the'feeding of the wire is intermittent and is in timed relation with respect to'the otherparts' of the machine. v

The wire I? fed by the rollers passes between stationary rollers carried by a bracket 54 and engages a bending roller 55 carried by a crank arm 56. The wire passing between the sta- 4 tionary rollers and the movable bending roller 55 is bent and formed into convolutions. Adjacent the bending mechanism is a pitch controller mechanism having a stationary block 51 and a laterally movable block 58. The lateral diately adjacent the'coiling mechanism, and the coil. being wound passes adjacent the anvil. A knife 64 is laterally moved into engagement with the anvil 63 for severing the wire after the coil is coiled.

is providedwith a gear |5 meshing with a gear 16- As the sleeve 46 rotates, the

on the sleeve 46. cam 13 is caused to rotate to impart an oscillating motion to the lever 10 and to the crank 56. The crank arm '56 is therefore moved by the cam 13' to position the bending roller 55 to regulate the diameter of the convolutions of the coil spring being coiled. By adjusting the screw 69, the

' diameter of the convolutions may be varied, and

by longitudinally sliding extension 68 and hence the screw 69 with respect to the lever 10, the relationship between the diameters of the various convolutions may be varied.

The block 58 of the pitch controller mechanism is carried by a rod 18 which is reciprocated by a crank arm 19 carried by a shaft 80. The shaft 88 carries a crank 8| which is provided with an extension 82 the end of which carries a screw 83.

The screw 83 abuts in a slot in a lever 84 pivotedat 85, and the lever 84 is provided at its extremity with a cam follower 86 engaging an adjustable cam having-component parts 81 and 88. The adjustable cam is carried by a shaft 89 which also carries a bevel gear 98 meshing with a bevel' gear 9| carried by a shaft 92. The shaft 92 also carries a gear 93 meshing with the gear 1-6 mounted on the sleeve 45. rotates, the adjustable cam 81, 88 oscillates the lever 84, the crank arm 19 and the block 58. The block 58 engages the wire of the spring being coiled adjacent the coiling apparatus to provide a lead or pitch to the convolutions, and lateral movement of the block 58 in the above manner, regulates the pitch or lead. By adjusting the screw 83, the pitch of the convolutions may be varied, and by sliding the extension 82 and hence the screw 83 with respect to the lever 84, the ratio of the pitches of the various convolutions may be varied. By relatively adjusting the component parts 81, '88 of the adjustable cam. the pattern of the pitch or lead of the convolutions of the coil spring may be varied. Obviously, a three or four part cam could be utilized for more complicated patterns.

, The coil spring which is thus coiled and has its pitch, pattern and diameters regulated in the above fashion is indicated at 94 in Fig. 6. When the, coil is completely wound a cam surface 64 on the gear moves the cutter or knife 64 to the As the sleeve 4|;v

right to sever the wound coil-spring fromzthe :wlre I1. and the mam -:4"I:raises the rollers a22"and:23 to :stop the :wire ifeed. The :shaft :92 :carries the cam 62 for raising and lowering the :guide 59. The guide 59 is utilized.tonguidingnndxlocating the coil spring after it is .coiledrand whenit is to begripped by the. gripping arm of the transfer mechanism.

Transfer mechanism The transfer mechanism generally designated at His shown in'more-detail in Figs. 7 to 1'3 and the arrangement of the :moving parts thereof is shown schematically in Fig. 4. The transfer mechanism I2 includes a rotatable carrier 95, shown as octagonal in configuration, carried'by a sleeve 96. On the outer octagonalsurfaces of the-carrier 95 blocks 91 are secured in placeby screws I05. The junctures-between the carrier 95 and the'blockst'l are providedwith'holes-ior rotatably receiving cylindrical extensions :99 o'f yokes 3B. Keyed to the extensions 99 are brackets I00, and the parts are held assembled for-rotation in the carrier 95 by screws I0 I. The brackets tI00.:are provided with extensions I02 for receiving oneend'of compression springs I03, the otheriends of which engage blocks I04" carried by the blocks 9.! .on the carrier 95. The compression springs 'IL03, therefore, operate to tilt-the brackets I100 andithe associated yokes 98 in a clock-wise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 8. "The extent of'theclockwise movement of the yokesf9'8 is limited .by screws 1 06 provided :with lock nuts I01 :carried by *the blocks 404, and by adjusting the screws I06, the :radial positions ofthe yokes 98 and the gripping arms carried thereby maybe adjusted. The springs I03 also permit movement of the yokes 98 and the gripping arms carried thereby-in theplane of rotation-thereofl-as is illustrated :in the left-hand portion of Fig; 8. This :provides strain-release connections between thew'carrier' 95 and the radial gripping arms carriedthereby. V I I :Sleeve supportsIi09 are:piVOtaIIy carriedby the yokesJ98-through pivot pins I I0, and the sleeves are provided withextensions III carrying rollers I.'I'.2 whichare held in plaoeby screws-H3. Therollers II2 control the pivotal positions-of the sleeve supports I09 and retain the sleeve supports in the plane of rotation, as illustrated inLFig. 10,-or pivot them -outof the planeofrotation, as-iillustrated'in Fig. 12; Thesleeve supports I09support rods H5, this being accomplished .by spacers 1 I It and clamping screws II I and :nuts I I8.

'Plungers I are reciprocally carried in the sleeve supports I09 and are provided with internal bores'for receiving the rods H5. The plungers are provided with extensions 'I2I which carry'blocks I22. The lower ends I23 o'f the plungers I20 are bifurcated to receive'cam followers I24 carried bypivotpinsI-ZS. The'cam followers I24 are movedby a-cam I26 keyed to a-sleeve I21. The cam surface of the high dwell of .the cam I is arcuate in'cross' section, as illustrated in Figs. '10 and 12,550 that regardless of whether the gripping arms are in or out of the plane of rotation, the plungers IZB-arenot moved with respect to the sleeve supports 109.

The upper ends of the rods 1 Iii-are provided withscrew-threaded extensions I30 for receiving gripping jaws I'3I. Movable gripping jaws I32 are'pivoted at I33 to the gripping jaws I3I and are' provided with extensions having 'a bifurcation I34 for receiving headed pins I35 poseol between the blocks I22 and/the sleeves I36 for urging the sleeves I36 outwardlyagainst the stationary jaws 1:31 .when theblock 122. is raised, as' illustratedin'iFig. 10. The. sleeves I36 are provided with projections I38, andtthe sleevesupports I 09 areprovided with projections I39, :and tension springs 1I-40are carried by the projections. When theyblocks I22 "are raised, as-illustrated in Fig. 10, thecompression springs I31 force the sleeves I36 outwardly, which in turn, causes the moveable jaws I32 to-move to- Ward the stationary jaws I3I to clamp coil springs therebetween. When, -however, the blocks I22 are lowered, as illustrated in .Fig. 1.1, the springs I3'I no longer urge the sleeveswI-3B upwardly and the sleeves I36.are*pulled downwardly by thetension springs 140. This downward movement of the sleeves I36 causes the headed pins I35 to move-the moveable jaws I32 away from the stationary jaws I3I to release the coil springs which had previously been gripped thereby. The upward and downward movement of the blocks I22 is caused by reciprocation of the plungers I20, which, in turn, arereciprocated by'the cam I26. In'other'words, when the high-dwell of the cam I26 is operating'on the plungers I20, the gripping jaws are closed, "and when the low-dwell of the cam 1I26 is operating onthe plungers I20, the gripping jaws are open, as is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, respectively.

Abox'cam I42, I43 cooperates with therollers II2 carried by the sleevesupports I09-forrmain taining the gripping arms in the'plane of irotation or for. pivoting them out of the plane of rotation. The-campart I43 is secured to the cam-part I42 by brackets I44 and the cam-part I42 is keyed to anextension I45 of. av shaft II", the cam part I42'beingheldin'place on the shaft I4'I'by a nut- I46. The cam part I43 .is provided with a: recess I48, as illustrated in. Fig; 8, and the cam part I42 is provided TWith .acomplementary projection I49. The depression I48 and projection I 49 cause the rollers 1 I 2 to move the gripping arms out of the plane ofrotation toward the left, as illustrated in Fig. .12. The normal position of the depression 148 and projection I49 corresponds to the position o'fnthe knotting and crimping'mechanism I3 sothat the gripping arm .ispivoted out of the plane of rotation to insert the coil spring carried by the associated gripping .arm into engagement with the'knotting and crimping mechanism I3: The cam part I42 is "provided with adepression I50 and the cam partI'43 is provided with: a-projection ISI for pivoting the gripping arm outrof the plane of rotation in the opposite direction. The position oi the depression I50 and the pro jection 'I5I corresponds to the location of the knotting and crimping mechanism I4 sothat the coil springs, as they are brought in linewith the knotting and crimping mechanism I4 by the transfer mechanism I2, 'are moved into'en gagement with the knotting and crimping mechanism. e

At station A. the cam parts @4 2 and I43 :may be provided with adjustable earns 33!] and 33I, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 10, slidably mounted in grooves in the cam parts and'held in'adjusted position by screws 332. By adjustably position ing the'cams 330 and 33I, the radial grip-ping arms may be correctly positioned for gripping the desired convolution of the 'coilspririgwhich has "been coiled by the coiling mechanism. O'f

course, similar cams may also be provided at the other stations if so desired.

The transfer mechanism thus far described is carried by a frame I52 supported on the column 26 and is provided with journals I53 and I54 for rotatably supporting the sleeves 96 and I21 and theshaft I41. A geneva gear I55 is keyed to the sleeve 96 and is provided with looking surfaces I56 and operating surfaces I51. An actuator I58 having a locking surface I59 and an actuating roller I60 carried by a pin I6I is secured to a shaft I62 carried in journals I63 and I64. As the shaft I62 is rotated, the actuator I58 alternately locks .the' geneva gear and rotates the same. Thus an intermittent rotation is applied to the geneva gear I55 and hence to the carrier95 of the transfer mechanism.

A crank arm I66 is keyed to sleeve I21 and is provided with a cam follower I61 operated by a cam I68 carried by the shaft I62; Thus as the shaft I62 is rotated, the cam I68 imparts an oscillatory movement to the crank' arm I66 and hence the cam I26 which controls the plungers I20. A crank arm I10 is keyed to the shaft I41 and is'provided with a cam follower I1I operated by a cam I12 secured to the shaft I62.' As the shaft I62 is rotated, an oscillatory movement is given to the crank arm I10 and hence to the cam parts I42. I43. The shaft IE2 is driven by a sprocket wheel I13. The shaft I62 is also provided with a crank arm I14 which is connected by a pin- I15 to a link I16 which extends rearwardly to operate the stacking mechanism I 5.

The sprocket wheel I13 is connected by a chain I18 to a sprocket wheel I19 mounted on a shaft I 80 which, in turn, carries another sprocket wheel I8I which is connected by a chain I82 to a sprocket wheel I83 carried by the shaft 92.' Thus the motion of the transfer mechanism I2 is obtained from the coiling mechanism I I so'that the transfer'm'echanism is operated in timed relation with the coiling mechanism.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, station A is in line with the'coiling mechanism II, station 13 is in line with the knotting and crimping mechanism I3, station C is in line with the knotting and crimping mechanism I4, and station D is in line with the stacking mechanism I5. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8, the coil spring has been wound by the coiling mechanism I I and has been gripped by the gripping arm at station A, and the completed coil has been released by the gripping arm to the stacking mechanism at station D. The coil carried by the gripping arm at station B is in engagement with the knotting and crimping mechanism I3, and the coil carried by the gripping arm at station C is in engagement with the knotting and crimping mechanism I4. All of the operations having been completed, it is now necessary to move the radial gripping arms in a clockwise direction for one-eighth of a turn, as illustrated in Figure 8.

First, the cam parts I42 and I43 are -moved ina counter-clockwise direction so that the gripping arms at stations 13 and C are moved into the plane of rotation, then the carrier 95 and the cam I26 are moved in a clockwise direction for one-eighth of a turn, and when this latter motion is being accomplished, the cam parts I42 and I43 are returned to the position shown in Fig. 8. As a result, the gripping arms that are moved into stations B and C are pivoted out-of the plane of rotation into engagement with the knotting and crimping mechanisms I3 "and I4,

8 respectively. Since the cam I26 has rotated along with the carrier 95 for one-eighth of a turn, the grippingarm which is moved to station A has its jaws open and the gripping arm which has moved to station D has its laws closed. A new coil is then formed by the coiling mechanism, and the coils which are in engagement with the knotting and crimping mechanisms I3 and I4 are knotted and crimped thereby. The gripping arm at station D is still holding the coil in the stacking mechanism. When a new coil is coiled by the coiling mechanism at station A and the coiling operation has been completed, then the cam I26 is rotated one-eighth of a revolution in a counter-clockwise direction back to the position shown in Fig. 8 whereupon the coil at station A is gripped and the coil at station D is released. The parts are then in theposition shown in Fig. 8 ready for another cycle of operation. In this way, coil springs formed by the coiling mechanism may be successively transferred from the coiling mechanism to the knotting and crimping mechanisms and to the stacking mechanism.

In the event that a coil spring should become snagged or fouled in one of the mechanisms II, I 3, I4, or I5, the radial gripping arm carrying that spring will be pivoted about its pivot 99 against the action of the spring I03 upon indexing of the carriage. 95, whereupon the gripping jaws of that radial gripping arm will release the coil spring and permit indexing of the carriage without damage to the machine. ing the pivoting movement of the radial gripping arm, the follower I24 rides forwardly on the cam I26 sufiiciently to release the gripping jaws I3I, I32.

Knotting and crimping mechanism The knotting and crimping mechanism I3 is illustrated in more detail in Figs. 14 to 17 and the moving parts thereof are schematically illus-.- trated in Fig. 4. The knotting and crimping mechanism I3 includes a substantially cylindrical head I carried by a support I86 provided with a column I81 carried by a frame I88 secured to the base 21. The cylindrical head I 85 is held in place on the support by a strap I89 which may be tightened by nuts I90. The cylindrical head I85 is therefore rigidly secured to the support I86 but may be rotated about its central axis for adjustment purposes. The cylindrical head I85 may be provided with end partitions I9I and I93 and a central partition I92.

A die I95 is suitably secured to the end partition I9I and is adapted to receive the end of a coil spring to be knotted and/0r crimped. The die may be circular in configuration if only knotting is to be accomplished, but if crimping is also to be accomplished, it may be provided with protrusions, I96, I91, and I98. A slide I99 provided with a recess 200 corresponding to the protrusion I96 is utilized for clamping the end of the coil spring to the die I 95 for gripping the same. The slide I99 is provided with a shoulder 20I engaged by a bell crank lever 202 pivoted at 203 to'the head I85. The bell crank lever 202 is provided with a cam follower 204 which is moved by an oscillating cam 205 to advance the slide I99 and the slide may be retracted by a spring, not shown. A pair of slides 206 and 201 opposed-to the slide I99 are also utilized for clamping the end of the coil spring to the die I95 and the'slides 206 and 201 may be provided with recesses 208'and 209 cooperating with the protrusions I91 and I98 on the die I95 to provide a double crimp in the end of the. coil spring. The slidesiflfi andlfll are moved toward the die I95 b'y'crank 'arm's 2-I Wand 21 I respectively and: preferably the: slides in their advancing movement are moved sequentially-to provide-first and second crimping-actions'. 'Such sequential movementis effective drawingthe wire into the 'crimped form without breaking the'wire. The slides 206 and-ZH I may be returned by springs 2I2 and 2l3- respectivel'y; The slide 201 r carries an extension 267 for holding-the coil spring down against the die during'the' clamping and crimping operation to insure the crimped sectionofthe-coilspring is straight.

A stop or gauge *2I5- abuts'the end of the-wire of the --coil spring fordetermining the proper rotative position of the coil spring-and hence the amount of wire utilized in th-e-knotting operation and the properlocation of the-crimpsor' offsets. In this way, theend of the' wire following the knotting' operation is brought to apredeter mined position within the confines of the coil spring. The? stop or gauge. 2 I5 i's2 carried by a crank arm 2I 6 carried on a shaft 2 I1 and -is held inretractedpositionby a spring 218; Setscrews 2 I 9 adjust the Y gauge 2 i5" with respect "to the crank: arm 2 I1 to setthe' position of (the gauge.-

A moveable clamp on guide 220 isecarrie'd by a pivotpin 22I- and: operates to retain the coil spring in relation to'thedie I 95 during the's-knotting. andv crimping. operation. The'guide 220'is operated through apin 222 carried by a link 223 provided: with a slot 224 receivingg'apin 225:,carried byacrank arm22B mounted on a shaft'22]. The pin 225 also carries a spring pressed lever 228to engage-thgguide220 and a'pivoted lever 229 is interposed between the lever 226 and'the guide 220. With" the parts in the position shown in Fig. 14, the guide or clamp 220 is retracted. As the crank arm 22 6 is moved to the left from the position shown'in' Fig; 14; it first acts through lever 229' to move the 'guide22'0" about its pivot andthen further acts through the spring'pressed lever 228 to completethe movement of'the guide 220-to the" position shown in'Fig; l5 whereinthe coil spring'is clamped to the die I95.- When" the crank arm 226 ismoved inthe" opposite direction, the guide is'retracted by the-link 223-topermit removal of the coil spring.

The knotting structure; more clearlyshown in-Figfi 16, includesa'knotting gear 230 provided with a slot 2 3I, the'gear being carried-byextensions 232 on a pivoted carrier2-34'; Theextensions 232' also" include 'slotsfor receiving-the wire of the coil spring, and as the knotting gear 2301s rotated, theend of the wire of'the'" coil spring is wrapped around" 'the' nextadjacent convolution in the conventional manner; shown-in Figure 15} The-pivoted carriage'234 is-pivota1ly-mounted on a shaft 235 andthe carriage isprovided with an extension 235 connected to'aten'sion' spring' ZSI' forbiasing the carriage in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 1 6; In this way3-- the knotting gea 230 is maintained -in.= a lewered posi tion so that the coil spring maybe inserted over-the die I95; The dieis providedlwith'an opening -238 for receiving the knotting I apparatus. I

A= gear 240 secured to the shaft2'35 is 1it for rotating the knotter-gear 230 an'd t gear 240': i rotated by a gear: 24I also' secured" to the shaft 235'. A segmentaligear' fli oarried hy a: Sharon-a: intermittentlyfniesheswith the-gear 2111: to cause intermittent -rotationi of the kr io'tter gearize 0'. The" Suarez-sees: provided: withlazdet'ent 2'4-4 rrec'eiving =a1' projection 245 carried b'y' lever: 245 pivoted at2+1=l" A s'pring 2 68 forces the. lever 2'46 downwardly; and-when the" pro J'ection 225 isrece'ived i'n the detent in'thecam 254, the parts are resiliently locked in'positi'o'n tomaintain the slot ZSI of the knotter' gear 236 in an upright position.- When, however; the gear segment 242 meshes withthe-gear-ZH to rotate the slotted knott'er gear 232} this is per mitted by the earn 24 overcoming; the-action of the spring24'8.

Acan'i25E'I-carriedby th'e shaft 2 13 operates against a cam follower 2-5 I carried bythepivoted carriage 234 so that the knottei gear ZQB is brought upwardly into operative position just prior to the time that the segmental gear 242 meshes with the gear 24-! to rotate the knotter gear23fl. When the lzn'otter gear 230 has rotated the required number "of revolutions and the segmental gear 24 2-disengages the gear i fl, the cam 253 then permits the knotter gear 230'toib'elovvered from the operative positioni -T he shaft 223- is connected by bevelgears 2 53 and 254" to a: shaft 255 on which is keyed-agear 258 'A gear 257*me'shes with the gear 2-56 and is keyed to ashaft 2ts which carries a sprocket wheel 259; The sprocket whee1 2-59is connected by a'chain 26 3 :to a sprocket wheel- 2 6I carried'by a shaft 262- which, in turn, carries a gear '263 meshin'g withagear 264- carried bythe-shaft I86. Thus the parts or the knotting 'andcrimpingmecha' nism I3- are driven froin the transfer mechanism I2 and the'coiling mechanism I1 and therefore operate-in timedrelation-therewith. f I The"shaft'24*3 adjustably carries a cam 266 which moves -a-cam' follower 261 carri'ed'oir'a lever'2-68'pivoted 'at 269: The lever 268'is provided with an extension 210- for oscillating a cam 21 I mounted ch -the shaft- 2I li Thusyas the shaft 2431s rotated; the lever 26 Wand the cam '27 I' are oscillated to transmit an oscillatory movement to the stop or'g'uage 2I'5": B-yadjusting thecam 26'6Z-the timingof the movement of the guage 2-I'5'ma'y be adjusted. U a p I The'oscillating cam M15 which" operatesfthe slide I9'9'is keyedto a shaft-"213* having a crank arm 214 and a cam follower-2T5 The 'cam'fol lower is operated by acam'" Z-IGkeyed tothe shaft 258. The-warn 2'16 positively oscillates the crank arrh- 214 and hence the cam 205 in both directionstomove the slide I99: The shaft 22 I operating the "crank 225 carries a crank arrhl 21-8 provided with a' cam'follower'219 engaginga cam 28!} secured to th'e shaft 255 so that" as the shaft 255 is rotated,-theoranl;arm 218' andhence the crank arm- 226 are oscillated. The crank-arm ZIO for operatingthe slide 206' is keyed" to a-shaft 282 and the crank arm 2| Iflf'or operating" the slide 201' is formed on a" sleeve 283. The shaft 282 is" provided with acrank aim-w having a cam follower 2'85 engaging a cam 286 carried by the shaft" 258: Ihaliire mannerythe sleeve 283 carries a crank arm 2-8I-prov'ided with a cam follower nt-engaging, a cam 289 also carried by the shaft 258. Thus rotation of the shaft 258 imparts oscillatory mo'veme'n't' to the crank armsv 2 III and 2| I for sequential-1 7 moving the slides-2'06 and 2011 i A 2 When a coil springis inserted over the die I 95, it' is firsflheld'ifiplace on the-die P b Ythe gui'de z z It, thenit is locate'din its properrotative position 'bythe sto pr gauge 2| 5; their the slide ['99 is moved-*i'riivardly'and theslitl 206' and 2 01 are sequentially moved inwardly to 3 clamp the coil spring; to the I die I 95 and to crimp the ends ofthe 'doil spring: whereupon the slotted kndttei gear 230 is pivoted to the operative position and the end of the wire of the coil spring is wrapped around or knotted to the next adjacent convolution. During the knotting operation, the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 15, and when the knotting operation is completed, the parts are returned to the position shown in Fig. 14, the knotted coil removed and a new coil to be knotted inserted. It will be noted that when the knotted coil spring is removed from the die I95, it is removed therefrom laterally by reason of the gripping arm of thetransfer mechanism being returned to the plane of rotation of the transfer mechanism before the transfer mechanism is rotated.

The knotting and crimping mechanism I4 is in all respects the same as the knotting and crimping mechanism I3 with the exception that the parts thereof are reversed and, therefore, a complete description of the knotting and crimping mechanism I4 is not required. 7

The knotting mechanism I4 includes a cylindrical head 295 carried on a support 296 which, in turn, is carried by a column 29! mounted on a frame 298 carried by a base 21. A strap 299 is utilized for securing the head 295 to the support 296 and, at the same time, permitting rotative adjustment of the cylindrical knotter head about its axis. Power is supplied to the knotting and crimping mechanism I4 by a sprocket wheel 300, a chain 3!. and a sprocket wheel 362. The sprocket wheel 36!] is carried by a shaft 303 which is connected by a universal joint 304 and a shaft 305 which is connected by a universal joint 306 to the shaft I60. Thus, the moveable parts of the knotting and crimping mechanism I4 receive their motion from the transfer mechanism I2 and the coiling mechanism II so that the parts are moved in timed relation with respect thereto.

When the transfer mechanism I2 aligns a coil spring with the knotting and crimping mechanism I4, the coil spring is moved into engagement therewith and is gauged, guided, clamped, crimped, and knotted in the same manner as described in connection with the knotting and crimping mechanism I3.

v The completed coil spring, knotted and crimped at both ends thereof, is illustrated at 94 in Fig. 3. If desired, the crimping operations may be omitted so that the offset portions at the ends of the coil springs would not be present. This may be accomplished by omitting the protrusions I96, I91, and I98 from the die I95 and the corresponding recesses 200, 208, and 209 and providing in lieu thereof simple curve surfaces which would be utilized for clamping purposes only. Alternatively crimping action may be employed and the knotting operation omitted so that the ends of the coil spring would be offset but not wrapped or knotted. This could be accomplished by omitting the slotted knctter gear 230 and its associated parts. a V

stacking mechanism The stacking mechanism I is shown in more detail in Figs. 18 to 21. The stacking mechanism includes a base plate 3H! and side walls 3 provided with longitudinal slots 3I2.' The forward end of the stacking mechanism is provided with internal plates 3I3 provided with a longitudinal slot 3I4 therebetween, the distance between the plates 3 I3 being less than that betweenthe plates 3I I. Depending from the plates 3 I3 are diverging guards 3I5 so that when a coil spring is carried upwardly by the transfer mechanism I2 into the stacking mechanism I5, the coil spring is compressed somewhat by the diverging guards 3I5 and is held between the plates 3I3. A yoke formed by a crossbar 3I6 and side arms BI! is reciprocated through a screw 3 I 8 by the link I16. The side arms 3" of the yoke carry bars 3I9 operating in the slot 3I2. The forward end of the bars 3I9 are provided with internal projections 320 extending through the slots 3I4 which carry actuators 32I having a concave actuating face for engaging the ends of the coil spring between the plates 3I3. The bars 3I9 adjacent the yoke are provided with internal fingers 322 for advancing coil springs along the stacker.

When the transfer mechanism I2 inserts a coil spring between the plates 3I3 and releases the coil spring therebetween, the yoke is moved rearwardly by the link I16 and the actuator ,32I carries the coil spring rearwardly from between the plates 3I3 where they are allowedto expand against the plates 3. The yoke then moves forwardly carrying with it the actuator 32I for the reception of another spring. At. thesame time, the internal fingers 322 move forwardly for engaging the coil spring which has been moved rearwardly by the actuator 32I. On the next rearward motion of the yoke, the fingers 322 carry the coil spring rearwardly and stack and nest that spring with the next adjacent spring and also make room for the reception spring and also make room for the reception of the next coil spring from between the plates 3I3. In this way, the stacking mechanism I5 receives coil springs from the transfer mechanism I2 and stacks and nests the springs for shipment or assembly.

Summary of operations In summarizing briefly the operations of the complete machine, the formation and passage of a single coil through the machine will be considered. The wire fed to the coiling mechanism is coiled thereby and the diameters of the convolutions of the coil spring and the pitch or lead thereof and the pattern thereof may be adjusted to the desired values. After the coil spring is thus wound, it is severed from the wire and is then gripped by a gripping arm of the transfer mechanism I2. The gripping arm then carries the coil forwardly into alignment with the knotting and crimping mechanism I3 and the gripping arm is pivoted out of the plane of rotation and one end of the coil spring is brought into engagement with the knotting and crimping mechanism I3. The coil spring is then guided and located in the knotting and crimping mechanism, the rotative position of the coil spring is determined, and then the coil spring is clamped to the die by the slides and in this operation crimping or offsetting may be accomplished. That end of the coil spring is then knotted. When the knotting and crimping operation performed by the knotting and crimping mechanism I 3 is accomplished, the gripping arm of the trans- .fer mechanism is pivoted back into the plane of rotation and the coil spring is advanced to a position in alignment with the crimping and knotting mechanism I4. The other end of the coil spring is brought into engagement with the crimping and knotting mechanism I 4 by pivoting the gripping arm in the opposite direction out of the plane of rotation thereof and the knotting and/or crimping operation of that end of the coil spring is completed in the same fashion as such operationson the other end of the coil spring by the crimping and knotting mechanism [3. After said other end has been crimped and/or knotted, the gripping arm is pivoted back into the plane of rotation and the coil spring is carried around and presented to the stacking mechanism [5. The coil spring is then released in the stacking mechanism 15 and is drawn rearwardly therein and stacked and nested with other coil springs for shipping or assembly purposes.

All of the various mechanisms are powered from the same source and operate in timed relation, and the relations between the various mechanisms may be readily adjusted for ease and accuracy of operation. For example, the coiling mechanism 12, the transfer mechanism l3, and the knotting and/or crimping mechanisms may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly with respect to each other by reason of the column constructions 26, I52, I81, and 291 so thatproper alignment between the mechanisms may be obtained. Also, the knotting mechanisms 13 and 14 may be moved inwardly or outwardly a limited amount and rotated about their axes so that they may properly receive coil springs presented to them by the transfer mechanism l2. Further, the positions of the radial gripping arms of the transfer mechanism may be adjusted in two planes to further assure proper alignment and accurate operation.

While for purposes of illustration, one form of this invention has been disclosed, other forms thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and therefore this invention is to be limited only bytthe scope of the appended claims and prior ar What is claimed is:

1. A transfer mechanism for transferring coil springs successively between a plurality of locations in a coil spring producing machine comprising, a rotatable carrier, a plurality of radially extending spring gripping arms pivotally carried by the carrier and each provided with cam followers, a cam engaging the cam followers for maintaining the arms in the plane of rotation and for pivoting the arms out of the plane of rotation, and means to rotate the rotatable carrier and oscillate the cam in timed relation.

2. A transfer mechanism for transferring coil springs successively between a plurality of locations in a coil spring producing machine comprising, a rotatable carrier, a plurality of radially extending supports pivotally carried by the carrier, a plunger s'lidabiy carried by each support, spring gripping jaws carried by each support and opened and closed by movement of the plunger with respect to the support, a cam for moving the plungers for controlling the gripping jaws, cam followers on the supports, a cam ensupports, plungers and gripping jaws in the plane of rotation and for pivoting the same out of the plane of rotation, and means to rotate the rotatable carrier and oscillate the cam in timed relation.

3. A transfer mechanism for transferring coil springs successively between a plurality of locations in a coil spring producing machine comprising, a rotatable carrier, a plurality of radially extending supports pivotally carried by the carrier, a plunger slidably carried in each support, a rod carried by each support, a gripping jaw carried by each rod, a sleeve carried by each rod,

,a/gripping jaw operated by each sleeve, a spring springs successively between a plurality of locations in a coil spring producing machine comprising, a rotatable carrier, a plurality of radially extending supports pivotally carried by the carrier, a plunger slidably carried in each support, a rod carried by each support, a gripping jaw carried by each rod, a sleeve carried by each rod, a, gripping jaw operated by each sleeve, 2. spring carried by each rod and interposed between the plunger and the sleeve, a cam for moving the plungers to cause the springs to open and close the gripping jaws, cam followers on the supports, a cam engaging the cam followers for maintaining the supports and associated parts in the plane of rotation and for pivoting the same out of the plane of rotation, and means to rotate the rotatable carrier and oscillate the cams in timed relation.

WILLIAM E. WUNDERLICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 350,979 Hall Oct. 19, 1886 1,141,504 Street June 1, 1915 1,287,931 Eyster Dec. 17, 1918 1,528,997 Van Orman Mar. 10, 1925 1,556,991 Hippenmeyer Oct. 13, 1925 1,681,728 Gail Aug. 21, 1928 1,863,916 Ziler June 21, 1932 1,909,499 Oldham May 16, 1933 1,935,309 Bleuel Nov. 14, 1933 1,958,846 Christensen May 15, 1934 1,968,945 Howie Aug. 7, 1934 1,975,051 Peiler Sept. 25, 1934 1,993,162 Gritz Mar. 5, 1935 2,349,638 Schreiber May 23, 1944 2,359,432

McNamara Oct. 3, 1944 

